"If it's not you, could it be me? This child's mother wasn't around when he was growing up, and I can't do this kind of thing. Don't worry, Uncle Liu is an open-minded person, you young people..."

"Uncle Liu..."

Xiaofan suddenly interrupted Liu Zhenghua, "Siyan and I have never crossed any lines, let alone done anything inappropriate, so I..."

"Oh, not yet, huh? Well, no matter, you're both adults now. According to age, it won't be long before you reach the legal age for marriage."

Wow, Xiaofan never thought Liu Zhenghua had already considered him as a son-in-law in his heart. If it were back then, Xiaofan would definitely have been overjoyed, but now, the more he listens, the more uncomfortable he feels, utterly embarrassed.

"Haha, Uncle Liu, about this... actually, we..." Unable to explain, unable to speak up. Xiaofan sat on the sofa, feeling slightly awkward.

"Oh dear, look at you, you weren't this shy when you were a kid."

"When I was a kid?" Xiaofan blankly looked at Liu Zhenghua. Had he met him when he was a child?

"What? Siyan never told you?"

"Told me what?" Xiaofan's eyes remained dazed, as he started searching his childhood memories.

Brother Ye? Those fragmented images slowly pieced together, and he seemed to be close to realizing the truth.

"You and Siyan met when you were about eight. My business had failed then, and I fought hard to find some capital to start over. I leased a large mountain area and planted many trees. When I was injured transporting the logs, the most famous doctor in your village was your grandfather. Originally, gravely injured, I shouldn't have made it to the hospital, but Old Mr. Ye stopped my bleeding quickly. Because of the severe injuries, I had to recuperate in bed for a while. Because of your grandfather's remarkable medical skills, I chose to recuperate at your home... Do you remember what happened afterward?"

He remembered, remembered it all. No, to be precise, Xiaofan had never forgotten. But who would have thought that in this vast sea of people, they would meet again, and...

Fate really loves to toy with people...

"So you're that uncle from back then. Then Siyan, she..."

"Yes, Siyan was staying at your home at that time. Besides the life-saving grace from your grandfather, I have to thank you. During that time, with you playing with her, Siyan gradually became more cheerful. I've never seen my daughter so genuinely happy."

"So it really was her..." Xiaofan's eyes reddened slightly, his fists gently clenched.

So, it was him being a jerk all along. So she had silently cared for him from the start. So, it was him who repeatedly tore apart her love for him.

Thinking back on the words he said to her on the day they broke up, Xiaofan now wished he could slap himself hard.

"As you spent more time together, you also spent more time playing in the mountains. Every day you'd come home filthy, and your grandfather was a stern man. Every time he'd see you two covered in mud, he'd scold you, then prepare a big tub of hot water, and throw the two little guys in for a soak."

"Cough, cough..."

"See, back then you both saw each other when you were kids, what's there to fear now?" Liu Zhenghua teased, looking at Xiaofan.

This father is really something else. But if he didn't truly trust Xiaofan, Liu Zhenghua wouldn't have said such things.

"Well, we were kids and didn't understand things; it's different now," Xiaofan smiled lightly.

Recalling childhood fun, a smile gradually spread across Xiaofan's face.

"Every time I recall those days, I'm so grateful to you and your grandfather. Your grandfather's medical skill was outstanding; even the water you bathed in had medicinal purposes. During those years, Siyan was weak, but after soaking in it for a while, her health gradually improved, and her resistance clearly strengthened. By the way, is your grandfather doing well now..."

"Mm. He's fine."

"When I started making money again, I wanted to give him some gifts in gratitude, but he refused all of them."

"I know, but later didn't Uncle Liu donate money to our village to build a road?"

"Yes. Your grandfather is indifferent to fame and fortune, willing to work as a village physician. What a pity. If Siyan hadn't brought you home to tell me, I wouldn't have realized you were the child from back then..."

"Huh? She, knew it was me so early?" Xiaofan asked, puzzled.

"Yes. When Siyan was little, she almost got bitten by a snake, and you bravely saved her, ending up with a burn on your shoulder and back. That mark is easy to recognize. I heard during a PE class, you took off your shirt while playing ball, and she saw it, so she recognized you."

"I see."

I see, no wonder, really no wonder.

In high school, he couldn't comprehend what love was. He was merely attracted to a beautiful girl, and that was just a crush. Liu Siyan, the goddess in his heart, for a poor boy like him to pursue her, was like a toad wishing to eat swan meat. But who would have thought, Liu Siyan felt that way about him...

"Originally, she wanted to stay in H City with you, but unfortunately, I had work in the Capital City. You know I only have this one daughter. If I can't see her, it feels like something is missing from my heart, so don't blame me for separating you two back then..."

"No, Uncle, it's my fault. If only I had earlier... never mind. What's the point of saying this now? Let me make a phone call first..."

Ye Xiaofan, oh Ye Xiaofan, you really are an idiot. Looking up at the sky, Xiaofan kept scolding himself in his heart, and Liu Siyan, you're a fool too, really foolish...

"Hello, Meng Ying..."

Twenty-five minutes later, Chen Mengying came out of Liu Siyan's room carrying freshly changed clothes. Xiaofan immediately entered the room.

Looking at the sleeping face, Xiaofan gently approached, his heart filled with guilt. He bent down, kissed her forehead lightly, and silently promised in his heart: Little follower, rest assured, Brother Ye will surely take good care of you.

Turning around, he left the room.

"Old class leader, sorry to trouble you again. Tonight, could you please stay here and look after her..."

"What are you talking about? Siyan and I are good friends, aren't we? You really are something, being there yet letting her get so drunk." Chen Mengying rolled her eyes at Xiaofan, blaming him for not taking care of Siyan.

"Yeah, my fault."

Leaving those words behind, Xiaofan descended the stairs. After calling out loudly to Liu Zhenghua, he left with Li Kuo.

Watching Xiaofan's car drive away, recalling those words just now, Chen Mengying sighed in her heart, returned to Liu Siyan's room, pulled up the quilt, and lay down beside her.

"Siyan, Xiaofan knows he was wrong too. Can't you forgive him? You two were so happy together back then. If he could treat me like that, I would have no regrets in my life."

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